Weekend picks: Golden Dragon Acrobats delight at Raue Center

The Golden Dragon Acrobats will showcase the ancient art of Chinese acrobatics in a show of skill and beauty at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake on Friday, Nov. 16.

Comedian Drew Carey performs a special engagement at Zanies in Rosemont this weekend.Associated Press File Photo

Nejla Yatkin's "Renatus" is on the bill for River North Dance Chicago's fall engagement at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago.

Learn about the latest toys and games at the annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair at Chicago's Navy Pier.Daily Herald file photo

Grammy Award-winning singer Mavis Staples will perform at Elgin Community College on Saturday, Nov. 17.

Video: Suburban weekend video

By Scott Morgan and Laura Stewart

Dragons den What better way to mark the current lunar year of the dragon than with a performance of the talented Golden Dragon Acrobats troupe. They perform at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $31-$37. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16

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Meet the 'Wimpy Kid' authorJeff Kinney, author of The New York Times best-selling "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, signs copies of his newest title in the series, "The Third Wheel," at Still Middle School, 787 Meadowridge Drive, Aurora. Doors open for the event at 5 p.m. Friday, with snacks and photo opportunities with character standees and more. A ticket for the event comes with the purchase of "The Third Wheel" from Anderson's Bookshop at 123 W. Jefferson St., Naperville. Each ticket includes a number for the book-signing line. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com. 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16

Time for the tree!Aurora gets set for the holiday season with its annual tree lighting on Friday at North Island Center, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Festivities include a holiday walk, photos with Santa Claus and more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will assist with the lighting of the tree. (630) 256-3370. 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16

Toys galore!See what's new in the world of toys as more than 250 toy and game exhibitors present their products at The Chicago Toy & Game Fair in Festival Hall A at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Products will be available for purchase. Other highlights include live stage entertainment, costumed characters, contests and more. Adults $10; children (ages 3 to 13) $5. Free admission for Scouts in uniform; educators and librarians; military (with ID); police officers (with ID); firefighters (with ID); and guests in the retail and trade industries. Visit chitag.com or call (312) 595-7437. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18

Christmas at the MillLocal artisans sell handmade gifts including hand-knit items, paintings, jewelry, holiday items, wood carvings and more at the Christmas at the Mill Boutique at the Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook. Santa Claus will make an appearance, plus enjoy strolling carolers and holiday trees decorated by local children. Free admission. (630) 920-9720 or grauemill.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18

To bee or not to beeVisit the honey house for the Beekeeping Around the World program at Kline Creek Farm at 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Katie Klett, the American Beekeeping Federation's 2007 Honey Princess, will discuss the importance of bees to our environment. Guests can also learn about the beekeeping volunteers who gather honey from Kline Creek Farm's beehives. Free. (630) 933-72000 or dupageforest.org. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17

An Almost Winter DayGet in the mood for the holidays with horse-drawn sleigh rides, cookie decorating, bonfires, pony rides, s'mores making and the arrival of Santa Claus at the 11th annual An Almost Winter Day festival at SEBA park, 151 Water St., South Elgin. Don't miss Santa lighting the tree at the Footprints in Time Plaza. Free admission; some activities require a fee. Visit southelgin.com. Events begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17

'Scrooge the Musical'See "Scrooge the Musical" at the Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Last season's popular musical adaptation of the age-old holiday tale of redemption now has a fresh new staging. $23-$25. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17

UFO sightingBritish band UFO got started at the end of the 1960s. Today, more than 40 years later, the band's fans are as devoted as ever. UFO will bring its guitar-heavy sound -- part hard rock, part heavy metal -- to the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $39 for the Saturday show, $25 for the Sunday show. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18

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